TWO Nelson men have been locked up for a total of nearly 10 years following a serious assault in Colne.
Callum Shepherd (21), of Hibson Road, and Joshua Barrett (20), of Sackville Street, appeared for sentence at Burnley Crown Court after causing “catastrophic” injuries to Jonathan Armstrong, then 28-years-old, last June 30th.
Police were called to the scene by the ambulance service at 3-30am, after passers-by found the man lying in a park close to Hawley Street. The victim was taken to Royal Preston Hospital with serious head and facial injuries, and was left with a fractured skull.
Shepherd, defended by Mr Tim Brennand, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and theft, while Barrett, defended by Martin Hackett, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm.
There were gasps from the public gallery as Shepherd’s verdict of seven years imprisonment was read out. Barrett was given a 32-month youth custody term.
At a previous hearing, prosecutor Mrs Charlotte Crane told the hearing part of the victim’s skull was embedded in his brain as a result of the attack.
She said: “This young man has had extensive head and brain surgery.”
Passing sentence Judge Beverley Lunt described how the victim now has brain damage, and how his life “is now very different”.
She also stated how “prime mover” Shepherd was seen repetitively picking up and dropping an object on the victim, while he was “helpless on the floor”. The object still remains unknown.
While it was stated that Barrett was still involved in inflicting injuries, he was seen by witnesses not participating in the attack, and trying to stop the attack at certain points.
Both were said to have been under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
Judge Lunt said: “Joshua Barrett, and Callum Shepherd, the injuries inflicted on this man are a result of this attack.
“They were quite literally life-threatening and life-changing.”
